Dan's News & Views Blog

Four new retail stores open for their first holiday shopping season, part of an effort

by Red Wing Port Authority and others to bring new retail entrepreneurs to the city

(Red Wing, MN) –People heading to Downtown Red Wing for holiday shopping will have four new stores to visit. The businesses all opened this year and are part of a effort by city advocates to bring new entrepreneurs and retail activity to Red Wing. The new business owners took part in a program managed by the Red Wing Port Authority to encourage new retail and commercial development.

“It’s great to see new entrepreneurs and retail energy come to Red Wing and our special downtown,” said Scott Adkisson, President of the Red Wing Port Authority. “This is a great time of the year to come together to spend to celebrate the season. This year it will be even better when shoppers can meet and check out new stores and support local entrepreneurs."

The four new businesses benefited from the Red Wing Port Authority’s Downtown Main Street Retail Challenge, an entrepreneurial competition designed to spur economic growth in Red Wing’s historic downtown area. The project gave entrepreneurs a chance develop and present ideas for new businesses and then have access to experts to help with funding and other challenges.

Red Wing Bicycle Company was the winner of the Retail Challenge, but due to the great response from the challenge, City Council provided additional monies to the runner-ups, Rivertown Comics & Games, Backwoods Framing & Engraving, and the Red Wing Mercantile. Red Wing Port Authority administered funds that were given by the City Council to the winner and runner-ups of the competition, along with the Port Authority provided loans to the three businesses. The new stores are:

Red Wing Bicycle Company

Rivertown Comics & Games

Backwoods Framing & Engraving

Red Wing Mercantile

“We are a historic city with some amazing legacy businesses,” Adkisson said. “Yet all of them started with an idea and a first location. The creativity we saw from these entrepreneurs was fantastic and we now have new energy and more places to shop here in Red Wing. We look forward to seeing them grow and flourish.

About the Red Wing Port Authority

The Red Wing Port Authority helps lead the economic and industrial development efforts for the City of Red Wing by bringing public and private sector resources and partners together to fund and advance key projects. Its mission is to help Red Wing create new economic opportunities and good paying jobs that benefit the entire community through industrial and commercial development. For more information, please visit redwingportauthority.org

About the Red Wing Bicycle Company

Andrew Petersen, owner of Red Wing Bicycle Company is the winner of the Red Wing Retail Challenge. Red Wing Bicycle Co. & Outfitter is a bicycle retailer and outdoor outfitter that will do business within the Red Wing community. The business will sell and service outdoor recreational gear such as bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories, snow shoes, climbing gear, camping gear, kayaking equipment, and ski equipment. They will also offer rental options for select products. Their primary market will be the residents of the greater Red Wing area. Along with selling, servicing, and renting products the business also aims to be the information and communication hub for those like-minded individuals and groups to collaborate and promote outdoor recreational opportunities within the greater Red Wing Area.

About Rivertown Comics & Games

This is a start-up business located in downtown Red Wing. Rivertown Comics & Games is the premier resource for “geeks” in Red Wing and its surrounding communities. Sarah and Adam Hansen are longtime experts in the comic’s world, both in business and creatively. They carry new comic books and graphic novels, board games and card games, toys, pins, patches, t-shirts, magazines, posters, and vintage soda and snack. Rivertown Comics & Games participated in Downtown Main Street’s retail challenge that took place in Red Wing this summer.

About Backwoods Framing and Engraving

Backwoods Framing & Engraving is a full service personalization business. They complete custom picture framing of all types. They also personalize products, using laser engraving, mechanical engraving, sandblasting, and vinyl cutting. They provide all types of personalized gifts, awards, trophies, signage, and promotional products. They are in the retail and service industries.

About Red Wing Mercantile

Red Wing Mercantile is community-focused retail story that features a range of accessories including dry goods, homeware, quality clothing to outdoor and camping equipment and souvenirs. With products from Duluth Pack and supplies from Winona Canoe, the store's focus is local and modernized. The story features Red Wing merchandise such as apparel and glassware as well as consignment agreements with local artists.